Title
The Digital Connectivity Act - For the purpose of expressing support for the Maryland Digital Connectivity Act.
Body
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
City of Annapolis
Resolution 8-21
Introduced by: Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Pindell Charles
Co-sponsored by: Alderman Schandelmeier, Alderwoman Tierney,
Alderwoman Finlayson
A RESOLUTION concerning
The Digital Connectivity Act
FOR the purpose of expressing support for the Maryland Digital Connectivity Act.
WHEREAS, HB97 the "Digital Connectivity Act", sponsored by Delegates Lierman, Attar, Bridges, Henson, D Jones, Rosenberg and Smith - cross-filed with SB66 sponsored by Senators Elfreth, Beidle, Edkardt, Griffith, Guzzone, Hester, Kelley, Patterson, Rosapepe, West and Zucker, establishes the Office of Digital Inclusion (ODI) within the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) as the successor to the Office of Rural Broadband (ORB), with expanded responsibilities and has an effective date of July 1, 2021; and
WHEREAS, in accord with the General Assembly, the Annapolis City Council recognizes "the importance of the Internet as the most transformative technology of modern life, a key stimulus for socioeconomic opportunity and development, and a prerequisite for social and economic inclusion; and
WHEREAS, high-quality broadband Internet service creates new jobs, attracts new industries, expands markets for new and existing businesses, enables Marylanders to better access educational opportunities and resources, facilitates delivery of health care services, and protects public safety; and
WHEREAS, increased deployment of broadband Internet services and infrastructure will improve long-term quality of life for all Marylanders and will ensure that the State remains economically competitive both locally and globally; and
WHEREAS, Maryland is committed to enabling the development of a statewide digital communications infrastructure through public investment, public-private partnerships, and cooperatives to ...
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